Larqué warns Saint-Étienne: «Promotion is decided away from home»

Jean-Michel Larqué makes no secret of his reservations about Saint-Étienne’s start to the Ligue 2 season. After five consecutive victories, the Green side suffered a defeat at Dunkirk (1-2) and a draw with Metz (2-2), two slip-ups that have alarmed the club legend.

«It strangely resembles last season,» said the 79-year-old former midfielder in comments to Peuple Vert. The reference is painful: in the 2024-2025 season, Saint-Étienne appeared capable of finishing in the top two before being forced to go through the promotion playoff, where they lost to Nice and thus missed out on a return to Ligue 1.

Larqué acknowledges a slight improvement compared to last season — «it seems to me there is a little more quality in the team» — but immediately tempers it: «We were deeply disappointed last season, so we will avoid complacency». He points specifically to defensive weakness away from home, where Saint-Étienne’s players conceded four goals in two matches. «When you need to score three goals to win, even if you are superior to your opponent, that won’t happen every day,» he warns.

His diagnosis is decisive on what determines promotion: «The title is decided on the pitch, but survival is decided away from home. Promotion is decided away from home.» Despite leading the table and an impressive attacking record, Saint-Étienne have been warned ahead of hosting Rhodes, scheduled for 10 October to resume the championship.